Writing implements



United Statesv Patent 3,292,594 WRITING IMPLEMENTS Luigi Ghislanzoni,Setfimo Torinese, Italy, assignor to Leandro Schellino, SettimoTorinese, Italy Filed Dec. 6, 1965, Set. No. 511,808 Claims priority,application Italy, Dec. 11, 1964,

2 Claims. (Cl. 120-4213) The present invention relates to ball pointpens having a barrel which contains twoor more tubular reservoirs forinks of various colors. The ink-reservoirs, as it is well known, areprovided with a ball-point writing extremity and are contained withinthe barrel of the pen, ready to be axially and individually forced toprotrude through an axial opening provided at one terminus of thebarrel.

The device of the present invention is substantially characterized inthat the controlling element for the sliding of the reservoirs orrefills axially along the barrel consists of a single axial member,longitudinally mounted on the terminus of the barrel opposite to thewriting terminus.

Another characteristic feature of the device of the present invention isthe axial and elastic connection obtained between the pushbutton and thecatch of the device, this connection resulting from the employment of acylindrical spring of helically wound steel thread. This feature is usedin conjunction with the conventional tripping mechanism of the pen forthe longitudinal sliding of the refill and its arrest in writingposition. The tripping mecha-' nism is the result of a coaxially mountedpushbutton operating in conjunction with a catch positioned within andrelative to an inner cap, said catch being capable of resting in one oftwo positions, one of which is axially more advanced and corresponds tothe advancement of one of the refills relative to the writing extremityof the barrel.

A further characteristic feature of thepresent device resides in thefact that there are provided externally and peripherally to the barrelreference signs or indicators for the desired selection of the coloredinks and, consequently, of the corresponding refills. Each indicator islocated diametrically opposite to the corresponding refill, which iscaused to protrude from the barrel by holding the pen in an inclinedposition, preferably about 45 degrees, maintaining the selectedindicator along the optical axis of the writer and pressing thepushbutton to cause a force to be transmitted to the catch. The catch iscentrally connected to a selective pendular member which, due to theinclined position of the barrel, by gravity engages its free terminalwith the resting or bearing end member of one of the refills positionedradially within the barrel.

These and other characteristics of the device of the present inventionwill become more apparent from the following description of theembodiments thereof and from the drawings, in which:

FIGURE 1 is a partial, sectional view of the device, seen axially;

FIGURE 2 is a perspective view of the guiding element for the refills;

FIGURE 3 is a top view of the element of FIGURE 2;

FIGURE 4 is a perspective representation of the terminal member of arefill;

FIGURE 5 is a partial view of the correct positioning of the barrelduring operation; and

FIGURE 6 shows a variance in some control elements of the device.

Referring now to FIGURES 1-5, the pen comprises a barrel with tworemovable and mutually connected members 10 and 11. In the upper member10, also called the "ice cap, there is positioned the mechanism for thelongitudinal movement of the various refills 12, each of which travelslongitudinally the inner barrel 13. The projection 13a of the innerbarrel 13, due to its height, separates each refill from the others. Inthe embodiment illustrated, being there four refills, the projection 13ais crossshaped (see FIGURE 2). This configuration is, obviously, subjectto modifications, depending on the number of refills contained in thebarrel.

Surrounding each refill 12 there is mounted a cylindrical spring 14acting between the upper surface of the cylindrical inner barrel 13 andthe upper arrestor with which every refill is provided. The arrestorconsists of a member sector-like shaped 15 and of a pyramid-shaped stem15a which sits in the upper portion of the respective refill. Thevarious sectors 15, when assembled, are illustrated in FIGURE 3 and areseated in the openings of the cross 13a, while retaining possibility oflongitudinal movement.

On the peripheral edge of the sectors 15 (FIGURE 1) rests the circularedge of bell 16. Bell 16 has an inner mantle longitudinally grooved andan unobstructed upper base, through which longitudinally travels thebody of the cylinder 17. Cylinder 17 is prevented from exiting upwardlyby its toothed ridge 17a. The cylinder 17 is of two different innerdiameters and is tapered toward its upper extremity. Within the largercross-section of the cylinder is located the catch 18, the apron 18a ofwhich defines the degree of and the seating position with in thecylinder 17. Elements 17, 18 and 16 are, of course, conventional andtheir relative position and use are known.

The apron of the ridge 17a and the apron18a are so shaped that theyengage the inner channelling of bell 16 and, when the two cylinders orbarrel are axially pushed in a downwardly direction (see FIGURE 1), thecatch 18 (in cooperation with apron 18a and elements 17 and 17a) assumesa position as shown in solid lines in FIG- URE 1, or conversely, aposition shown in dotted lines in FIGURE 1. In the latter case, thecatch 18 is arrested against border 16a formed by the extremity of thegrooves or channels 16. The operation, per se, is known. What is novelis the axial non-rigid connection existing between said elements 17 and18 through the cylindrical spring 19. Spring 19 is connected at one endto boss 20, rotatable at the base of element 18, and at the opposite endto the base of element 17. The extremity of the cylinder 17 is fixedlyjoined within the axial cavity of the pushbutton 21 with flange 21a. Thehelicoidal truncoconical spring 22 operates between flange 21a of thepushbutton and the upper edge of bell 16.

To the catch 18 is connected, frictionally, the collar 23 which supportsthe pendular member 24. The spherical or spheroidical head 24a of themember 24 has sufiicient play between the base of the boss 20 and thecoller 23. One portion 24b of the pendular member, is substantiallycylindrical and has a lesser diameter than the rest of the member, so asto permit the maximum angular oscillation on the arc of 360.

structurally, therefore, the catch member 18 consists of a cylindricalbody positioned inside the larger diameter portion of the cylinder 17.This cylindrical body has at the upper terminal a rotatable boss 20(which in turn is connected by spring 19 to the upper terminal of thecylinder 17); at the lower terminal a flared apron 18a contacting thetoothed ridge 17a and capable of sliding along the grooves of bell 16and of being retained by the borders of the grooves; and in itsmidsection, frictionally contained therein; a collar 23 through which isinserted the pendular organ 24.

The operation of the device of the invention is as follows:

Preferably at the extremity of the cap 10 (see A, B, C in FIGURE areindicated either in relief or inlaid the colors corresponding to therefills. However, any given color is located diametrically opposite tothe corresponding refill. To select the desired refill, the pin ishandled in an inclined position (see FIGURE 5) with the selectedindicator A, B, or C positioned upwardly. The push- 'button 21 ispressed and the extremity of the pendulum 24 is gravitationally directedto the platelet or sector 15 of the refill. The action of thebush-button 21, a force transmitted to members 17 and 18, causes thesector 15 of the proper refill to be engaged and, overcoming thereaction of the corresponding spring 12, the refill to slide axially soas to protrude from the barrel with its ballpoint extremity. The forceexerted by pushbutton 21 has compressed also the spring 22, wherein,while the catch 18 and its related element 18a are engaged in theposition shown in dotted lines in FIGURE 1, the pushbutton 21 togetherwith barrel 17 are returned to the indicated position. Thusly, thespring 19 is under tension which continues until the refill is inwriting position.

Pressing against the pushbutton 21, the barrel 17 and its relatedelement 17a slide toward the catch 18 (and 18a respectively) and releaseit from the assumed position, whereby, when the pushbutton is released,the original conditions of operation are re-established, the spring 14causing the refill to re-enter the barrel of the device. The walls orpartitions 13a of the support 13 prevent radial movements of thependulum 24.

In the variance shown in FIGURE 6, the catch 18 (and element 18a) isprovided with a hollow, cylindrical projection 18b which serves as aguide for the truncoconical spring 30 (replaces spring 19 of FIGURE 1).The refills 12 are arrested, against the reaction of the relativesprings 14, by the annular flanges 12c located at the base of thesupport 13. All other movements and elements of the device are identicalor similar to those hereinbefore described with respect to FIGURES 1-5.

What is claimed is:

1. In a multicolor ball-point pen, an ink-cartridge selecting andpropulsion mechanism which comprises in combination: a spring-loaded,flanged and retractable pushbutton protruding from one terminus of saidball-point pen; a cylinder having an upper portion tapered and connectedto said push-button and a lower portion of larger diameter andterminating with a toothed, flared ridge, said cylinder being slidablewithin the barrel of said pen; a bell-shaped element enclosing with itsupper having an upper substantially spherical terminus, a oentr alrod-like section and a lower TOdrllk section of larger diameter thansaid central section; a rotatable 'boss positioned as integral part atthe upper extremity of said catch and spaced from said upper terminus ofsaid pendulum, said boss being connected to said tapered upper saidbell-shaped element and having a cylindrical lower portion withapertures therethrough for said cartridges and a multi-pointedstar-shaped upper portion with guiding, longitudinal rib-like speratorsfor said cartridges, each of said cartridges having an upper plateletterminal for engaging said pendulum and being spring-loaded about itslongitudinal axis from said platelet to said-lower portion of said innerbarrel.

2. The writing implement of claim 1, in which said flared apron of saidcatch is connected therebeneath to a cylindrical protruding member, saidmember serving as a guide to an inverted trunco-conical springsurrounding said member, said spring replacing said rotatable boss andrespective spring.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS r 3,164,1321/1965 Ganz -42.1-3 3,225,747 12/1965 Schmidt l20-42.13

FOREIGN PATENTS 1,023,101 12/1952 France.

937,964 9/ 1963' Great Britain.

LAWRENCE CHARLES, Primary Examiner.

1. IN A MULTICOLOR BALL-POINT PEN, AN INK-CARTRIDGE SELECTING ANDPROPULSION MECHANSIM WHICH COMPRISES IN COMBINATION: A SPRING-LOADED,FLANGED AND RETRACTABLE PUSHBUTTON PROTRUDING FROM ONE TERMINUS OF SAIDBALL-POINT PEN; A CYLINDER HAVING AN UPPER PORTION TAPERED AND CONNECTEDTO SAID PUSH-BUTTON AND A LOWER PORTION OF LARGER DIAMETER ANDTERMINATING WITH A TOOTHED, FLARED RIDGE, SAID CYLINDER BEING SLIDABLEWITHIN THE BARREL OF SAID PEN; A BELL-SHAPED ELEMENT ENCLOSING WITH ITSUPPER TERMINAL SAID TOOTHED FLARED RIDGE OF SAID CYLINDER AND HAVING APLURALITY OF LONGITUDINAL GROOVES ON THE INNER SURFACE THEREOF FORGUIDING AND RETAINING PURPOSES; A CYLINDRICAL CATCH POSITIONED INSIDESAID LOWER PORION OF SAID CYLINDER AND HAVING AT ITS LOWER EXTREMITY AFLARE APRON IN CONTACT WITH SAID TOOTHED FLARED RIDGE AND SLIDABLYRETAINABLE WITHIN SAID GROOVES OF SAID BELL-SHAPED ELEMENT; A COLLARFRICTIONALLY POSITIONED WITH SAID CATCH AND CONTAINING THERETHROUGH APENDULUM, SAID PENDULUM HAVING AN UPPER SUBSTANTIALLY SPHERICLATERMINUS, A CENRAL ROD-LIKE SECTION AND A LOWER ROD-LIKE SECTION OFLARGER DIAMETER THAN SAID CENTRAL SECTION; A ROTATABLE BOSS POSITIONEDAS INTEGRAL PART AT THE UPPER EXTREMITY OF SAID CATCH AND SPACED FROMSAID UPPER TERMINUS OF SAID PENDULUM, SAID BOSS BEING CONNECTED TO SAIDTAPERED UPPER PORTION OF SAID CYLINDER BY MEANS OF A SPRING; AN INNERBARREL FOR SUPPORTING THE INK-CARTRIDGES, A LOCATED BENEATH SAIDBELL-SHAPED ELEMENT AND HAVING A CYLINDRICAL LOWER PORTION WITHAPERTURES THERETHROUGH FOR SAID CARTRIDGES AND A MULTI-POINTEDSTAR-SHAPED UPPER PORTION WITH GUIDING, LONGITUDINAL RIB-LIKE SEPARATORSFOR SAID CARTRIDGES, EACH OF SAID CARTRIDGES HAVING AN UPPER PLATELETTERMINAL FOR ENGAGING SAID PENDULUM AND BEING SPRING-LOADED ABOUT ITSLONGITUDINAL AXIS FROM SAID PLATELET TO SAID LOWER PORTION OF SAID INNERBARREL.